Stock cutting apparatus

ABSTRACT

Stock cutting apparatus which includes a cutoff slide head movable back and forth on a cutting stroke and a return stroke and which carries a cutoff knife movable on a cutting stroke. Power linkage means are provided to drive the cutoff slide head and the cutoff knife head from a crankshaft and means are provided in the linkage means for changing or adjusting the throw or travel of the slide head.

United States Patent [191 Hawley et al.

STOCK CUTTING APPARATUS [75] Inventors: Sumner H. Hawley, Bay Village;

Albert Feucht, Parma, both of Ohio [73] Assignee: Lewis Machine Company, a division of Wyle Laboratories, Cleveland, Ohio [22] Filed: Aug. 15, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 388,603

521 U.S.Cl. .Q 83/320 51 1m. (:1 ..B23d 25/04 [58] "Field of Search 83/311,320, 318,319

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1940 Morris 83/319 X Jan. 14, 1975 3,380,329 4/1968 Mathe et a1 83/320 X Primary Examiner-J. M. Meister v Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Woodling, Krost, Granger and Rust [57] ABSTRACT Stock cutting apparatus which includes a cutoff slide head movable back and forth on a cutting stroke and a return stroke and which carries a cutoff knife movable on a cutting stroke. Power linkage means are provided to drive the cutoff slide head and the cutoff knife head from a crankshaft and means are provided in the linkage means for changing or adjusting the throw or travel of the slide head.

8 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures STOCK CUTTING APPARATUS The present invention relates in general to wire or stock cutting machines. The presently described ma chine is commonly referred to by those skilled in the art as a flying shear.

This invention, although having other applications, was discovered and designed as an improvement to that type of machine disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,152,502, patented Oct. 13, 1964. In this patent there is disclosed a crankshaft driven cutoff assembly which performs the function of driving a cutoff head back and forth along the line of travel of the wire and driving a cutoff knife in a direction transverse to the direction of wire travel.

It will be noted in the crankshaft drive of U.S. Pat. No. 3,152,502 that one rotation of the crankshaft will drive the cutoff head through one cycle of forward and return movement and the throw of the cycle (i.e., the movement of the head) is not capable of being varied.

This above described construction has been satisfactory in the past for cutting relatively long lengths of wire; however, it has not been completely satisfactory for cutting relatively short lengths of wire to accurate dimensions. One may say that the desirability of the present invention is most apparent for relatively short lengths of stock of, for the sake of example only, under 18 inches. In cutting these shorter lengths, it is desirable to match the stroke of the cutoff head and the length of wire to be cut to the degree possible to optimize the flying shear effect of the assembly. This in volves or includes a minimum stopping of the wire and maximizing the continuous flow of ,wire through the machine.

The present invention involves itself with the driving of a cutoff head from a crankshaft through a lever which lever may be adjusted to vary the throw of the cutoff head for each cycle of the crankshaft.

The invention, also, involves the pivotal mounting of a drive lever and a means for changing or adjusting the pivotal mounting of the drive lever so that the throw of the cutoff head can be varied. This adjusting feature can be accomplished without affecting the travel of the cutoff knife which is, also, driven from the crankshaft.

There is, also, disclosed herein a novel and unique means for adjusting the above mentioned pivotal mounting from the exterior of the machine.

Other objects and a fuller understanding of this invention may be had by referring to the following description and claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which;

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the wire cutoff assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view taken generally along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view taken generally along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view taken generally along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a view taken generally along the line 5-5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a view taken generally along the line 66 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a view taken generally along the line 7-7 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a view taken generally along the line 8-8 v of FIG. 7; and v FIG. 9 is a view taken generally along the line 9-9 of FIG. 7.

As mentioned hereinabove, the teachings of the present invention have been discovered and designed primarily as an improvement to that structure shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,152,502 issued Oct. 13, 1964. The improvement has to do with that portion of the device which is defined in this application as the wire cutoff assembly and which is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,152,502, primarily in the views of FIGS. 3 and 4. It will, therefore, be understood by those skilled in the art that in the use of the teachings of the present invention other equipment and apparatus is used in conjunction and in combination therewith. It will be understood that in a complete machine associated with the teachings in this application that there is normally a straightening arbor, feed-roll assemblies which structure is upstream or precedes the structural showings in this application and on the downstream side of the machine there is a conventional wire length measuring assembly as is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 3,152,502. These particular portions of the machine form no part of the teachings of the present invention and they have been omitted for purposes of clarity and ease of understanding what constitutes the teachings of the present invention. To the extent necessary to understand the workings of any structure which might be used or associated with the structure specifically shown herein, the teachings and structure of U.S. Pat. No. 3,152,502 are incorporated herein by reference.

The wire cutoff assembly shown in the drawings has been indicated generally by the reference numeral 20 and, as mentioned hereinabove, is for the purpose of cutting wire or other stock into predetermined lengths. I

This assembly includes in combination a base 23 for supporting and mounting various components of the assembly. A crankshaft 26 is mounted for rotation in bearings 24 supported by the base and the crankshaft has a crank arm 27. A cutoff slide head 31 is mounted in ways 32 for back and forth movement on a cutting and return stroke. A cutoff die 34 is mounted by the cutoff slide head and has a generally horizontally disposed opening 35 for the reception of the continuous length of wire, which has been indicated by the reference numeral 33. A knife holder 38 is slideably mounted by the cutoff slide head 31 for movement in a generally vertical plane on a downward cutting stroke and an upward return stroke. A knife 39 is carried by the knife'holder and serves to sever the wire 33 which extends through the opening 35, as it travels on its downward cutting stroke.

Power linkage means 43 are provided for connecting the crank arm 27 of the crankshaft 26 to the knife holder 38 and the cutoff slide 31 so as to drive these components through a cycle of operation as the crankshaft 26 rotates through a complete 360. The power linkage means 43' include the following recited structure and the recited means of interconnection between the crank arm 27 and the knife holder 38 and cutoff slide head 31. This structure includes a connecting arm 46 connected at one end to the crank arm 27 as best shown in FIG. 1. A knife drive arm 48 is provided which is connected at oneend to the crank arm 27 as shown and is connected at its other end to the knife holder 38 by means of a pivot member 49. A drive lever 52 is provided and is pivotally connected to the base 23 by pivot means 53 which are best seen both in FIG. 1

and FIG. 3 of the drawings. As seen in the FIG. 3 the pivot means53 include a shaft supported in bearings 55 which are in turn carried by the base 23. An adjustable drive lever 57 is provided and is pivotally connected by pivot means 58 at its upper end to the cutoff slide head 31. Pivot means '59 pivotally connect the connecting arm 46 at its end opposite the crank arm 27 to a first portion of the drive lever 52. A drive link 62 is pro-' vided and pivot means 63 pivotally connect a second end portion of the drive lever 52 to a first end portion of the drive link 62. Pivot means 64 pivotally connect a second end portion of the adjustable drive lever 57 to a second end portion of the drive link 62.

An adjustable pivot member 71 is provided on the adjustable drive lever 57 intermediate the end portions thereof, or in other words, intermediate the pivot means 58 and 64. This adjustable pivot member comprises a sleeve portion 72 (FIG. which fits around lever 57 and this sleeveportion 72 is provided with integral pivot members on either side thereof both identified by the reference numeral 73. This adjustable pivot member 71 is capable of being moved to different positions on the drive lever 57 between thepivot means 58 and 64 so as to regulate the throw of the cutoff slide head 31 for each rotation of the crankshaft. This mechanism includes adjustment arms 76 which have first end portions 77 which are secured to the pivot members 73 by means of screws 78. Second end portions 80 of the adjustment arms 76 are secured in a like manner to an adjustment shaft v79 by screws 82 and this shaft is rotatively mounted in bearings 81 carried by the base 23. Secured to one end portion of the adjustment shaft 79 is an adjustment wheel 84 which is located exteriorly of the base and which enables leverage to be exerted on the adjustment shaft 79 so it can be turned to the proper rotational position.

FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 of the drawings best shown the mechanism of the present invention which is utilized for adjusting or moving the adjustment wheel 84 to the desired position at which position it is fixedly located until it is again shifted by means of an operator of the machine. This mechanism includes a threaded rod 85 which is threadably connected to a universal nut 86 carried by the adjustment wheel 84 and another universal nut 87 which is connected to the base 23. In order to rotate the adjustment wheel 84, it is first necessary to loosen bolts 92 and then rotate the threaded rod 85 and the wheel 84 is moved accordingly. Stop nuts 88 on either side of theuniversal nut 87 must be appropriately manipulated in order to permit rotation of the threaded rod 85.

It will, therefore, be apparent to those skilled in the art, with the adjustable drive member 57 positioned as shown in FIG. 1 and with the adjustable pivot member 71 located as shown, that with each 360 revolution of the crankshaft and crank arm 27 the cutoff slide head will travel a given distance forward on a cutoff stroke and back the given distance to the starting position on a return stroke. If it be desired to increase this stroke, it is necessary to move the adjustable pivot member 71 downwardly on the adjustable drive lever 57 or in other words, closer to the pivot means 64 and away from the pivot means 58. This is accomplished by rotating the adjustment shaft 79 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1 by rotation of the adjustment wheel 84. This results in a greater throw ofthe upper end ofthe adjustable drive lever 57 and a greater travel of the cutoff slide head 31, for each 360 rotation of the crankshaft 26. By the same token, if it be desired to reduce the stroke, the opposite procedure is required. It should be noted that the position of the adjustable pivot member 71 shown in FIG. 1 provides for the minimum travel of the cutoff slide head 31 for the apparatus as shown. As the adjustable pivot'member 71 is moved downwardly on the adjustable drive lever, the throw of the cutoff head increases.

As mentioned hereinabove, the drive or motive power means for rotating the crankshaft 26 has not been shown because it formsno basic part of the present invention. However, the drive means are the same or similar to that described specifically in US. Pat. No. 3,152,502 and may include an electric motor suitably, mechanically connected by pulley means to the crankshaft. As shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings, the crankshaft is provided with a fly wheel 90 and there is normally provided a clutch and brake mechanism for appropriately braking the crankshaft to a stopped condition and for clutching the same to a rotating condition.

As mentioned hereinabove, the operation of the present device as incorporated into a complete machine assembly as described in US. Pat. No. 3,152,502, is essentially the same as the operation of the machine which is described in detail in this patent. In other words, the machine can be operated to cut relatively long lengths of stock or wire to wide tolerances or cut shorter lengths of stock to closer tolerances. As mentioned above, the presently described and claimed invention relates to the novel and inventive means of conveniently regulating the throw or cycle of the cutoff slide head 31 when desired as shorter lengths of wire or stock are needed. As disclosed, this throw of the cutoff slide head 31 is conveniently regulated by appropriately moving the adjustable pivot member 71 as described between its upper and lower limits on the adjustable drive lever 57. This regulates the travel or throw of the cutoff slide head during one cycle of rotation of the crankshaft.

The mechanism of this invention will increase the range of a long length machine as synchronization of the knife with the wire is possible at lower and higher speeds than is possible with a fixed stroke flying shear.

The advantages of this particular invention, however,

I are most important when attempting to cut lengths of stock of 18 inch and under and the operation of this structure tends to match the stroke or throw of the cutoff head with the length of the wire or stock to be cut to optimize the flying shear effect of the assembly. Op-

timizing the flying shear effect involves a minimum stopping of the wire and what may be broadly referred to as maximizing the continuous flow of wire through the machine.

Although this invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:

l. A wire cutoff assembly for cutting wire into predetermined lengths comprising, in combination, a base, a crankshaft having a crank arm, a cutoff slide head mounted in ways on said base for back and forth movement on a cutting and return stroke, a cutoff die mounted by said cutoff slide head and having a generally horizontally disposed opening for the reception of the wire, a knife holder slideably mounted by said cutoff slide head for movement in a generally vertical plane on a downward cutting stroke and an upward return stroke, a knife carried by said knife holder, power linkage means-interconnecting said crank arm to said slide head and said knife holder for moving the same through said respective movements, said linkage means including a connecting arm connected at one end to said crank arm, a knife drive arm connected at one end to said crank arm and at theother end to said knife holder, a drive lever, pivot means pivotally connecting said drive lever to said base, an adjustable drive lever, pivot means pivotally connecting-said connecting arm at the other end to a first end portion of said drive lever, a drive link, pivot means pivotally connecting a second end portion of said drive lever to a first end portion of said drive link, pivot means pivotally connecting a first end portion of said adjustable drive lever to said slide head, pivot means pivotally connecting a second end portion of said adjustable drive lever to a second end portion of said drive link, an adjustable pivot member connected to said adjustable drive member between said first and second end portions thereof, means for moving said adjustable pivot member relative to said first and second end portions of said adjustable drive member comprising an adjustment arm secured at one end portion to said adjustable pivot member, an adjustment shaft mounted by said base for rotation, said adjustment arm being secured at its other'end to said adjustment shaft whereby rotation of said adjustment shaft causes movement of said adjustable pivot member on said adjustable drive member, and means for securing said adjustment shaft in a fixed rotational position. I

2. A wire cutoff assembly comprising, in combination, a base,a crankshaft having a crank arm, a cutoff slide head mounted by said base for back and forth movement on a cutting and return stroke, a cutoff die mounted by said cutoff slide head and having an opening for the reception of wire, a knife holder slideably mounted by said cutoff slide head for movement on a cutting stroke and a return stroke, a knife carried by said knife holder, power linkage means interconnecting said crank arm to said slide head and said knife holder for moving the same through said respective movements, said linkage means including a connecting arm connected at one end to said crank arm, a knife drive arm connected at one end to said crank arm and at the other end to said knife holder, a drive lever, pivot means pivotally connecting said drive lever to said base, an adjustable drive lever, pivot means pivotally connecting said connecting arm at the other end to a first end portion of said drive lever, a drive link, pivot means pivotally connecting a second end portion of said drive lever to a first end portion of said drive link, pivot means pivotally connecting a first end portion of said adjustable drive lever to said slide head, pivot means pivotally connecting a second end portion of said adjustable drive lever to a second end portion of said drive link, an adjustable pivot member connected to said adjustable drive member between said first and second end portions thereof, and-means for moving said adjustable pivot member relative to said first and second end portions of said adjustable drive member.

3. A wire cutoff assembly comprising, in combination, a base, a crankshaft having a crank arm, a cutoff slide head mounted by said base for back and forth movement on a cutting and return stroke, a cutoff die mounted by said cutoff slide head and having an opening for the reception of wire, a knife holder slideably mounted by said cutoff slide head for movement on a cutting stroke and a return stroke, a knife carried by said knife holder, power linkage means interconnecting said crank arm to said slide head and said knife holder for moving the same through said respective move-- ments, said linkage means including a knife drive arm connected at one end to said crank arm and at the other end to said knife holder, an adjustable drive lever, pivot means pivotally connecting a first end portion of said adjustable drive lever to said slide head, means connecting a second end portion of said adjustable drive lever to said crank arm, an adjustable pivot member connected to said adjustable drive member between said first and second end portions thereof, and means for moving said adjustable pivot member relative to said first and second end portions of said adjustable drive member.

4. A stock cutoff assembly for cutting stock into lengths comprising, in combination, a cutoff slide head movable back and forth on a cutting and a return stroke, a cutoff knife carried by said cutoff slide head and movable on a cutting stroke which is transverse to the direction of said cutoff slide head on its cutting and return stroke, power linkage means for moving said cutoff slide head on said cutting and return strokes comprising a lever member having first and second opposed end portions and an intermediate portion therebetween, pivot means pivotally connecting said first end portion of said lever member to said cutoff slide head, pivot means pivotally mounting said intermediate portion of said lever member, means for imparting a force to said second end portion of said lever member to cause movement of said first end portion of said lever member about said pivot means at said intermediate portion of said lever member and movement of said cutoff slide head back and forth on said cutting and re turn stroke, means for moving said pivot means at said intermediate portion of said lever member to various positions between said first and second end portions of said lever member which means comprises anarm carrying said pivot means at one end portion, a rotatable shaft, and means connecting the other end portion of said arm to said rotatable shaft.

5. A stock cutoff assemblyas claimed in claim 4, wherein said pivot means comprises an annular sleeve member which surrounds and is slideable on said lever member and which has cylindrical bearing members on opposite sides of said annular sleeve member, said arm carrying said pivot means by having first and second annular portions which surround, respectively, said cy lindrical bearing members on opposite sides of said annular sleeve member.

6. A stock cutoff assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein said means for imparting a force to said second end portion of said lever member includes a crankshaft having a crank arm.

7. A stock cutoff assembly as claimed in 6, wherein connection means connect said crank arm to said cutoff knife to move same on said cutting stroke.

8. A stock cutoff assembly as claimed in claim 7,.

ber. 

1. A wire cutoff assembly for cutting wire into predetermined lengths comprising, in combination, a base, a crankshaft having a crank arm, a cutoff slide head mounted in ways on said base for back and forth movement on a cutting and return stroke, a cutoff die mounted by said cutoff slide head and having a generally horizontally disposed opening for the reception of the wire, a knife holder slideably mounted by said cutoff slide head for movement in a generally vertical plane on a downward cutting stroke and an upward return stroke, a knife carried by said knife holder, power linkage means interconnecting said crank arm to said slide head and said knife holder for moving the same through said respective movements, said linkage means including a connecting arm connected at one end to said crank arm, a knife drive arm connected at one end to said crank arm and at the other end to said knife holder, a drive lever, pivot means pivotally connecting said drive lever to said base, an adjustable drive lever, pivot means pivotally connecting said connecting arm at the other end to a first end portion of said drive lever, a drive link, pivot means pivotally connecting a second end portion of said drive lever to a first end portion of said drive link, pivot means pivotally connecting a first end portion of said adjustable drive lever to said slide head, pivot means pivotally connecting a second end portion of said adjustable drive lever to a second end portion of said drive link, an adjustable pivot member connected to said adjustable drive member between saId first and second end portions thereof, means for moving said adjustable pivot member relative to said first and second end portions of said adjustable drive member comprising an adjustment arm secured at one end portion to said adjustable pivot member, an adjustment shaft mounted by said base for rotation, said adjustment arm being secured at its other end to said adjustment shaft whereby rotation of said adjustment shaft causes movement of said adjustable pivot member on said adjustable drive member, and means for securing said adjustment shaft in a fixed rotational position.
 2. A wire cutoff assembly comprising, in combination, a base, a crankshaft having a crank arm, a cutoff slide head mounted by said base for back and forth movement on a cutting and return stroke, a cutoff die mounted by said cutoff slide head and having an opening for the reception of wire, a knife holder slideably mounted by said cutoff slide head for movement on a cutting stroke and a return stroke, a knife carried by said knife holder, power linkage means interconnecting said crank arm to said slide head and said knife holder for moving the same through said respective movements, said linkage means including a connecting arm connected at one end to said crank arm, a knife drive arm connected at one end to said crank arm and at the other end to said knife holder, a drive lever, pivot means pivotally connecting said drive lever to said base, an adjustable drive lever, pivot means pivotally connecting said connecting arm at the other end to a first end portion of said drive lever, a drive link, pivot means pivotally connecting a second end portion of said drive lever to a first end portion of said drive link, pivot means pivotally connecting a first end portion of said adjustable drive lever to said slide head, pivot means pivotally connecting a second end portion of said adjustable drive lever to a second end portion of said drive link, an adjustable pivot member connected to said adjustable drive member between said first and second end portions thereof, and means for moving said adjustable pivot member relative to said first and second end portions of said adjustable drive member.
 3. A wire cutoff assembly comprising, in combination, a base, a crankshaft having a crank arm, a cutoff slide head mounted by said base for back and forth movement on a cutting and return stroke, a cutoff die mounted by said cutoff slide head and having an opening for the reception of wire, a knife holder slideably mounted by said cutoff slide head for movement on a cutting stroke and a return stroke, a knife carried by said knife holder, power linkage means interconnecting said crank arm to said slide head and said knife holder for moving the same through said respective movements, said linkage means including a knife drive arm connected at one end to said crank arm and at the other end to said knife holder, an adjustable drive lever, pivot means pivotally connecting a first end portion of said adjustable drive lever to said slide head, means connecting a second end portion of said adjustable drive lever to said crank arm, an adjustable pivot member connected to said adjustable drive member between said first and second end portions thereof, and means for moving said adjustable pivot member relative to said first and second end portions of said adjustable drive member.
 4. A stock cutoff assembly for cutting stock into lengths comprising, in combination, a cutoff slide head movable back and forth on a cutting and a return stroke, a cutoff knife carried by said cutoff slide head and movable on a cutting stroke which is transverse to the direction of said cutoff slide head on its cutting and return stroke, power linkage means for moving said cutoff slide head on said cutting and return strokes comprising a lever member having first and second opposed end portions and an intermediate portion therebetween, pivot means pivotally connecting said first end portion of said lever member to said cutoff slidE head, pivot means pivotally mounting said intermediate portion of said lever member, means for imparting a force to said second end portion of said lever member to cause movement of said first end portion of said lever member about said pivot means at said intermediate portion of said lever member and movement of said cutoff slide head back and forth on said cutting and return stroke, means for moving said pivot means at said intermediate portion of said lever member to various positions between said first and second end portions of said lever member which means comprises an arm carrying said pivot means at one end portion, a rotatable shaft, and means connecting the other end portion of said arm to said rotatable shaft.
 5. A stock cutoff assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein said pivot means comprises an annular sleeve member which surrounds and is slideable on said lever member and which has cylindrical bearing members on opposite sides of said annular sleeve member, said arm carrying said pivot means by having first and second annular portions which surround, respectively, said cylindrical bearing members on opposite sides of said annular sleeve member.
 6. A stock cutoff assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein said means for imparting a force to said second end portion of said lever member includes a crankshaft having a crank arm.
 7. A stock cutoff assembly as claimed in 6, wherein connection means connect said crank arm to said cutoff knife to move same on said cutting stroke.
 8. A stock cutoff assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein another lever member is pivotally mounted and has one end portion pivotally connected to a first arm which, in turn, is connected to said crank arm and has the other end portion pivotally connected to a link member which, in turn, is pivotally connected to said second end portion of said first mentioned lever member. 